A device for assisting taking off and putting on a garment

ABSTRACT

A device ( 1 ) for assisting taking off and putting on a garment with sleeves comprises a base body ( 2 ) configured to be mounted on a support structure ( 3 ), the base body ( 2 ) comprising an elongated first portion ( 4 ) and an elongated second portion ( 5 ) located opposite to the first portion ( 4 ) between which portions a space ( 6 ) is provided, which portions ( 4, 5 ) each has an outer end ( 4   a,    5   a ), wherein an opening ( 7 ) for insertion of a sleeve of the garment into the space ( 6 ) is provided between the outer ends ( 4   a,    5   a ), and a closing member ( 8 ) hingedly connected to the first portion ( 4 ) of the base body ( 2 ). The closing member ( 8 ) is pivotable between an opening position so as to allow a part of a sleeve to be inserted into the space ( 6 ), and a closing position in which a sleeve which has been inserted into the space ( 6 ) is clamped between the closing member ( 8 ) and the second portion ( 5 ) when a user pulls the sleeve away from the opening ( 7 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION AND BACKGROUND ART

The present invention relates to a device for assisting taking off and putting on a garment with sleeves according to the preamble of claim 1.

The documents U.S. Pat. No. 953,254 and U.S. Pat. No. 817,755 describe a respective device intended to be used for assisting putting on a garment, such as a coat. Both of these devices are configured to be mounted on a support structure, such as a wall, and have a first hook part and a second hook part. The garment is to be hanged on the first hook part. The second hook part is brought toward the first hook part by means of the downwardly directed force consisting of the gravity of the garment on the first hook part and the garment is clamped between the first and the second hook part. A person may then put his arms into the sleeves of the garment and the second hook part returns to an upright position when the force consisting of the gravity of the garment is removed from the first hook part whereby the device is opened and the person may walk away wearing the garment.

Both of the devices are intended to function as dressing assistance tools. A force must be exerted downwardly on the devices described if they are to clamp a garment, which means that the user of the garment has to fasten a sleeve in the device and thereafter pull this downwardly from the device when desiring assistance in undressing.

This method is complicated, especially for persons with the greatest need of assistance in undressing, such as elderly, children or persons with reduced mobility, and the devices described are by that not suitable as undressing assistance tools. Furthermore, unnecessary wear damage on the sleeve arises which in the long run may result in holes therein, as the sleeve of the garment is fastened in a device and must be pulled downwardly.

In addition to the deficiencies regarding their function, these devices consist of complex structures with several components resulting in high manufacturing costs and a big risk that any of the components breaks.

THE OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a device for assisting taking off and putting on a garment with sleeves of the type defined in the introduction being improved in at least some aspect in relation to such devices previously known.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object is according to the invention achieved by a device having the features defined in claim 1.

The device according to the invention comprises:

-   -   a base body configured to be mounted on a support structure, the         base body comprising a first portion extending away from the         support structure and a second portion located opposite to the         first portion and extending away from the support structure         between which portions a space is provided, which portions each         has an outer end facing away from the support structure, wherein         an opening for insertion of a part of a sleeve of the garment         into the space is provided between the outer end of the first         portion and the outer end of the second portion, and     -   a closing member hingedly connected to the first portion of the         base body.

The closing member is pivotable between an opening position in which it extends away from the opening into the space so as to allow a part of a sleeve to be inserted therein, and a closing position in which a contact surface of the closing member facing away from the space abuts a contact surface of the second portion of the base body facing the space in such a way that a part of a sleeve which has been inserted into the space is clamped between the closing member and the second portion by friction against these contact surfaces when a user of the garment pulls the sleeve in a direction away from the opening.

The solution of a closing member according to the invention provides a possibility for a user of the garment to horizontally insert a part of a sleeve into the space of the base body of the device and to clamp the sleeve in the base body by pulling the sleeve in a horizontal direction away therefrom and thereby be able to pull one arm out of the garment in a way that is ergonomic for the user and also gentle for the garment as the sleeve in question does not have to be bent and pulled from inappropriate angles. In addition to the functional advantages with the device according to the invention this has a simple structure with few components resulting in low manufacturing costs and a long life span.

According to an embodiment of the invention the closing member is hingedly connected to the outer end of the first portion of the base body. A distinctly defined opening to said space of the base body is provided hereby.

According to another embodiment of the invention it comprises a holding arrangement configured to connect the base body to the support structure, and the base body is adjustable into different heights along the holding arrangement. The possibility of adjusting the height of the base body after the length of the user and based on whether the device is to be used for assisting taking off or putting on a garment is provided hereby.

According to another embodiment of the invention the holding arrangement comprises an elongated element with a groove extending along the longitudinal direction of the element, and the base body is configured to be fastened in the groove. Adjustment of the height of the base body in an uncomplicated and flexible way is provided hereby.

According to another embodiment of the invention the base body comprises a retaining member configured to be inserted into the groove of the element and to retain the base body at the element, and an engaging member configured to be received in and secure the base body to one of a plurality of receiving members, such as holes, arranged at different heights along the element, so that the base body is adjustable between a fixed position in which the engaging member is received in a receiving member and secures the base body at a determined height along the element, and a slidable position in which the engaging member is released from the receiving member and the base body is vertically slidable along the element via the retaining member. It has been found possible to provide a device that is user friendly, reliable and possible to manufacture at a low cost when having such a base body and such a holding arrangement.

According to another embodiment of the invention the contact surface of the closing member is provided with a friction layer, which friction layer enables a high friction force between the contact surface of the closing member and the part of the sleeve when the part of the sleeve is clamped between the contact surface of the closing member and the contact surface of the second portion, the friction layer preferably consisting of a rubber material. The risk that the part of the sleeve will slide out of the base body during use of the device is minimized by such a friction layer.

According to another embodiment of the invention at least one of the first and the second portion of the base body comprises a friction surface which enables a high friction force between the base body and a garment when a garment is hanged over the base body, the friction surface preferably consisting of a rubber material. Such a friction surface simplifies the use of the device as an assistance tool for putting on a garment.

According to another embodiment of the invention the closing member is configured to return to its closing position by the influence of gravity after being brought to the opening position. Closing of the space of the base body in an uncomplicated way is provided hereby.

According to another embodiment of the invention it comprises a spring configured to bias the closing member toward its closing position. The possibility of mounting the base body in different angles in relation to the support structure without impairing the function of the closing member is provided hereby.

Further advantages as well as advantageous features of the invention will appear from the following description of embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference to the appended drawings, below follows a description of two embodiments of the invention cited as examples.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a simplified perspective view of the device according to an embodiment of the invention, in which the base body is directly mounted on a support structure,

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the device in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a frontal view of the device in FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a simplified perspective view of the device according to another embodiment of the invention, in which the base body is attached to a holding arrangement configured to be mounted on a support structure,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the device in FIG. 4 with the base body in a slidable position,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the device in FIG. 4 with the base body in a fixed position at the lower part of the holding arrangement, where a user of a jacket has inserted and clamped a part of a sleeve in the space of the base body,

FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 6, where the user of the jacket has pulled the arm out of the sleeve which is still clamped in the space of the base body, and

FIG. 8 is a frontal view of the device in FIGS. 4-7 with the base body in a fixed position at the upper part of the holding arrangement, where a jacket is hanging over the base body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

A device according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in the appended FIGS. 1-3 and a device according to another embodiment of the invention in the FIGS. 4-8.

A device 1 is shown in FIGS. 1-3 and comprises a base body 2 preferably made of wood, which is directly mounted on a support structure, such as a wall 3. The base body comprises a first portion 4 extending away from the wall and a second portion 5 located opposite to the first portion and extending away from the wall, between which portions a space 6 is provided. The first portion 4 has an outer end 4 a facing away from the wall 3 and the second portion 5 has an outer end 5 a facing away from the wall. An opening 7 to the space 6 is defined between these outer ends 4 a, 5 a.

A closing member 8 is connected to the outer end 4 a of the first portion 4 via a hinge 9, so that the closing member is pivotable between an opening position in which it extends away from the opening 7 into the space 6 so that the opening of the space is opened, and a closing position in which a contact surface 10 of the closing member 8 facing away from the space abuts a contact surface 11 of the second portion 5 facing the space so that the opening 7 of the space 6 is closed. The closing member is configured to return to its closing position by the influence of gravity and/or by means of a spring arranged in the hinge 9 after being brought to the opening position. Such a spring is arranged in such a way that the closing member 8 is brought against the action of the spring when pivoting from the closing to the opening position.

A base body 2 and a closing member 8 corresponding to those in FIGS. 1-3 are shown in FIGS. 4-8. The base body in FIGS. 4-8 is attached to a holding arrangement 12 which comprises a rail 12 a configured to be mounted on the wall 3. The rail has an elongated groove 13 and a plurality of holes 14 connected to the groove, which are arranged at a distance from each other in the longitudinal direction of the groove. According to this embodiment of the invention, the base body 2 comprises a retaining member 15 and an engaging member 16 (see FIG. 5) arranged on the side of the base body facing the holding arrangement 12.

The engaging member 16 is formed as a hook and configured to engage with one of the holes 14 along the rail 12 a. The base body 2 is adjusted into a fixed position at a determined height along the rail 12 a when the engaging member is hooked into one of the holes. The retaining member 15 comprises a first part (not shown in the Figures) configured to be located in the groove 13 of the rail 12 a and to retain the base body 2 at the rail, and a second part 17 configured to project from the groove when the engaging member 16 is unhooked from a hole 14 and the base body is tilted from the rail 12 a. The retaining member may as an example have the shape of a T.

In order to displace the base body 2 vertically along the rail the engaging member 16 is unhooked from a hole 14 and the base body is tilted from the rail, but is retained at this by means of the retaining member 15 (see FIG. 5). The base body may then be slid along the groove 13 to a hole 14 at a desired height, into which hole the engaging member 16 is hooked and fixates the base body 2 relative to the rail 12 a.

When the device 1 is to be used for assisting taking off a garment, such as a jacket, a part 18 a of a sleeve 18 is brought into the space 6 of the base body 2 (see FIG. 6). A traction force away from the base body is created in the sleeve as the user of the jacket is trying to pull his arm 19 out of the sleeve 18, which traction force causes a friction force between the part 18 a of the sleeve and the contact surfaces 10, 11 whereby the sleeve is clamped therebetween. The user of the jacket may without any problem pull his arm 19 out of the sleeve 18 when the sleeve has been clamped and the jacket will thereafter hang in the base body 2 until the user pushes the closing member 8 toward its opening position so that the sleeve is released.

The contact surface 10 is provided with a friction layer 20 so as to enable a high friction force between the contact surface 10 of the closing member 8 and the part 18 a of the sleeve 18. The friction layer is according to this embodiment a rubber strip, but may also be constituted by another material than rubber. The contact surface 10 may also provide a relatively high coefficient of friction by means of its structure, e.g. by being grooved, undulated or consisting of members of fish-scale-type or nubbles. Additionally, the contact surface 11 of the second portion 5 may be provided with a said friction layer or be configured in such a way that a high coefficient of friction is provided, for a better ability of locking a part 18 a of a sleeve to the base body 2 by friction.

When the device 1 is to be used for assisting putting on a jacket, the jacket is hanged over the base body 2 of the device in such a way that the inner opening 21 to one of the sleeves is easily accessible for the user (see FIG. 8), whereafter the user in a simple manner may bring an arm into this opening 21. The user may thereafter bring his other arm into the opening 22 to the other sleeve of the jacket without the jacket sliding away, as this hangs over the base body 2.

The top surface of the first portion 4 of the base body 2 is provided with a friction surface 23. The friction surface is according to this embodiment a rubber strip, but may also be constituted by another material than rubber. The friction surface 23 may also provide a relatively high coefficient of friction by means of its structure, e.g. by being grooved, undulated or consisting of members of fish-scale-type or nubbles.

The height of the base body 2 is adjusted after the function desired, as the base body is attached to the wall 3 by the rail 12 a. When the device 1 is to be used for assisting taking off a garment the base body 2 should be set at about the height of the elbows of the user and when the device 1 is to be used for assisting putting on a garment the base body should instead be set at about the height of the cheek of the user. The device 1 may by the rail 12 a also be adjusted after the heights of different users.

The invention is of course not in any way restricted to the embodiments thereof described above. On the contrary, many possibilities to modifications thereof will be apparent to a person with ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

The round shape of the base body and the closing member as shown in the Figures is not in any way intended to restrict the invention thereto. On the contrary, the base body and the closing member could also have for instance a square or oval shape and the space provided by the base body may also have a different shape than that shown in the Figures.

The holding arrangement could be configured in a plurality of different ways while providing the function of the base body being adjustable between different heights therealong. The receiving members could for instance be protruding loops or some other type of receiving members. The holding arrangement could also be constituted by plates arranged at different heights on the wall, between which the base body could be moved without sliding.

The device according to the invention may also be used as an assistance tool in other fields of use than for taking off and putting on a garment with sleeves. A user may as an example use such a device mounted on a wall for clamping a duvet through a hole in a duvet cover in the same way as a sleeve is clamped according to the description above. The user may then in a simple manner grab the duvet cover and pull this away from the base body of the device so that the duvet will slide out of the cover and remain hanging in the base body. 

1. A device (1) for assisting taking off and putting on a garment with sleeves (18), comprising: a base body (2) configured to be mounted on a support structure (3), the base body (2) comprising a first portion (4) extending away from the support structure (3) and a second portion (5) located opposite to the first portion (4) and extending away from the support structure (3) between which portions a space (6) is provided, which portions (4, 5) each has an outer end (4 a, 5 a) facing away from the support structure (3), wherein an opening (7) for insertion of a part (18 a) of a sleeve (18) of the garment into the space (6) is provided between the outer end (4 a) of the first portion (4) and the outer end (5 a) of the second portion (5), and a closing member (8) hingedly connected to the first portion (4) of the base body (2), wherein the closing member (8) is pivotable between an opening position in which it extends away from the opening (7) into the space (6) to allow a part (18 a) of a sleeve (18) to be inserted therein, and a closing position in which a contact surface (10) of the closing member (8) facing away from the space (6) abuts a contact surface (11) of the second portion (5) of the base body (2) facing the space (6) in such a way that a part (18 a) of a sleeve (18) which has been inserted into the space (6) is clamped between the closing member (8) and the second portion (5) by friction against these contact surfaces (10, 11) when a user of the garment pulls the sleeve (18) in a direction away from the opening (7).
 2. A device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the closing member (8) is hingedly connected to the outer end (4 a) of the first portion (4) of the base body (2).
 3. A device (1) according to claim 1, wherein it comprises a holding arrangement (12) configured to connect the base body (2) to the support structure (3), and that the base body (2) is adjustable into different heights along the holding arrangement (12), the holding arrangement (12) comprises an elongated element (12 a) with a groove (13) extending along the longitudinal direction of the element (12 a), and that the base body (2) is configured to be fastened in the groove (13), and the base body (2) comprises a retaining member (15) configured to be inserted into the groove (13) of the element (12 a) and retain the base body (2) at the element (12 a), and an engaging member (16) configured to be received in and secure the base body (2) to one of a plurality of receiving members (14) arranged at different heights along the element (12 a), such that the base body (2) is adjustable between a fixed position in which the engaging member (16) is received in a receiving member (14) and secures the base body (2) at a determined height along the element (12 a), and a slidable position in which the engaging member (16) is released from the receiving member (14) and the base body (2) is vertically slidable along the element (12 a) via the retaining member (15). 4-5. (canceled)
 6. A device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the contact surface (10) of the closing member (8) is provided with a friction layer (20), which friction layer (20) enables a high friction force between the contact surface (10) of the closing member (8) and the part (18 a) of the sleeve (18) when the part (18 a) of the sleeve (18) is clamped between the contact surface (10) of the closing member (8) and the contact surface (11) of the second portion (5), the friction layer (20) preferably consisting of a rubber material.
 7. A device (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first (4) and the second portion (5) of the base body (2) comprises a friction surface (23) which enables a high friction force between the base body (2) and a garment when a garment is hanged over the base body (2), the friction surface (23) preferably consisting of a rubber material.
 8. A device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the base body (2) is mainly made of wood.
 9. A device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the closing member (8) is configured to return to its closing position by the influence of gravity after being brought to the opening position.
 10. A device (1) according to claim 1, wherein it comprises a spring configured to bias the closing member (8) toward its closing position.
 11. A device (1) according to claim 2, wherein it comprises a holding arrangement (12) configured to connect the base body (2) to the support structure (3), and that the base body (2) is adjustable into different heights along the holding arrangement (12), the holding arrangement (12) comprises an elongated element (12 a) with a groove (13) extending along the longitudinal direction of the element (12 a), and the base body (2) is configured to be fastened in the groove (13), and the base body (2) comprises a retaining member (15) configured to be inserted into the groove (13) of the element (12 a) and retain the base body (2) at the element (12 a), and an engaging member (16) configured to be received in and secure the base body (2) to one of a plurality of receiving members (14) arranged at different heights along the element (12 a), such that the base body (2) is adjustable between a fixed position in which the engaging member (16) is received in a receiving member (14) and secures the base body (2) at a determined height along the element (12 a), and a slidable position in which the engaging member (16) is released from the receiving member (14) and the base body (2) is vertically slidable along the element (12 a) via the retaining member (15).
 12. A device (1) according to claim 11, wherein the contact surface (10) of the closing member (8) is provided with a friction layer (20), which friction layer (20) enables a high friction force between the contact surface (10) of the closing member (8) and the part (18 a) of the sleeve (18) when the part (18 a) of the sleeve (18) is clamped between the contact surface (10) of the closing member (8) and the contact surface (11) of the second portion (5), the friction layer (20) preferably consisting of a rubber material.
 13. A device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the contact surface (10) of the closing member (8) is provided with a friction layer (20), which friction layer (20) enables a high friction force between the contact surface (10) of the closing member (8) and the part (18 a) of the sleeve (18) when the part (18 a) of the sleeve (18) is clamped between the contact surface (10) of the closing member (8) and the contact surface (11) of the second portion (5), the friction layer (20) preferably consisting of a rubber material.
 14. A device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the contact surface (10) of the closing member (8) is provided with a friction layer (20), which friction layer (20) enables a high friction force between the contact surface (10) of the closing member (8) and the part (18 a) of the sleeve (18) when the part (18 a) of the sleeve (18) is clamped between the contact surface (10) of the closing member (8) and the contact surface (11) of the second portion (5), the friction layer (20) preferably consisting of a rubber material.
 15. A device (1) according to claim 14, wherein at least one of the first (4) and the second portion (5) of the base body (2) comprises a friction surface (23) which enables a high friction force between the base body (2) and a garment when a garment is hanged over the base body (2), the friction surface (23) preferably consisting of a rubber material.
 16. A device (1) according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the first (4) and the second portion (5) of the base body (2) comprises a friction surface (23) which enables a high friction force between the base body (2) and a garment when a garment is hanged over the base body (2), the friction surface (23) preferably consisting of a rubber material.
 17. A device (1) according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the first (4) and the second portion (5) of the base body (2) comprises a friction surface (23) which enables a high friction force between the base body (2) and a garment when a garment is hanged over the base body (2), the friction surface (23) preferably consisting of a rubber material.
 18. A device (1) according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the first (4) and the second portion (5) of the base body (2) comprises a friction surface (23) which enables a high friction force between the base body (2) and a garment when a garment is hanged over the base body (2), the friction surface (23) preferably consisting of a rubber material.
 19. A device (1) according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the first (4) and the second portion (5) of the base body (2) comprises a friction surface (23) which enables a high friction force between the base body (2) and a garment when a garment is hanged over the base body (2), the friction surface (23) preferably consisting of a rubber material.
 20. A device (1) according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the first (4) and the second portion (5) of the base body (2) comprises a friction surface (23) which enables a high friction force between the base body (2) and a garment when a garment is hanged over the base body (2), the friction surface (23) preferably consisting of a rubber material.
 21. A device (1) according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the first (4) and the second portion (5) of the base body (2) comprises a friction surface (23) which enables a high friction force between the base body (2) and a garment when a garment is hanged over the base body (2), the friction surface (23) preferably consisting of a rubber material.
 22. A device (1) according to claim 17, wherein the base body (2) is mainly made of wood. 